Drawing of Observatory
Instrument Qualification (IQC) Committee
The committee is responsible for training and qualifying members on the operation of the observatory's two telescopes. Qualification on the 24-inch telescope is done through the Qualified Observer's course, which is a ten-week classroom and hands-on course. The committee assigns qualified members to one of five teams that rotate duty on Friday nights. Go to Dome Duty to see a current duty schedule.


Committee Chair: Al Witzgall - skymaster709@cs.com

PLEASE NOTE: In the past few months, the coarse focusing tube of the ten-inch refractor at Sperry Observatory has been jammed repeatedly. Someone has been over-tightening it in place.

I cannot emphasize the importance of NOT jamming the coarse focus tube into the locked position!!! Just a VERY light touch should be needed to unlock and lock that tube. Someone has been over-tightening it. PLEASE be careful!! It should not be necessary to adjust it for any reason during the Friday evenings at Sperry. If it seems to be necessary to move it, please call Al Witzgall or your team leader that night for help. Make a note of the change in the ten-inch dome room log book as well.



Click here a description of significant celestial events in 2012.

Click here for an invitation to Qualified Observer training.

Click here for the proposed 2011 QO course schedule.

Click here for photo album.
Orange ball Return to Standing Committees
Orange ball Return to Club Activities
Maintained by 01/04/2012